"Krone" series

Community is a way of life in this village

They help each other with the work and buy equipment together(Bild: EVELYN HRONEK)

The village of St. Kollmann once belonged to St. Paul Abbey. It was founded 828 years ago! Today, the village is part of the municipality of Griffen. 70 citizens form a very special community.

inst the inhabitants were subjects of the monastery. The village was under the watchful eye of the Bamberg bishops, who had their seat in the Lavanttal valley. "Back then, the farmers were dependent, they were simply serfs," says Griffen's mayor Josef Müller, who lives in St. Kollmann and also runs a farm there. "Community is a way of life here," Müller clarifies. For 40 years, farmers have been buying most of their equipment - such as chainsaws, low-loaders, logging trucks, cable winches, etc. - together. Farmer and village caretaker Richard Ehrlich: "Our parents started with this equipment management, and we are continuing. It works perfectly."

The branch church of St. Kollmann(Bild: EVELYN HRONEK)

They also stand together when working in the fields and forests. "If the weather turns bad, someone is harvesting or making hay, help arrives immediately," says Günther Pitschek. The village stands together at every height and depth. Mayor's wife Gerti Müller: "If there are any difficulties, there's always someone on hand. I know that, as my husband is on the road a lot for the municipality."

The whole village gets involved in the festivals(Bild: Evelyn Hronek)

"When help is needed, we roll up our sleeves and get to work," adds neighbor Jakob Müller. The bricklayer can sometimes help out with what he has learned in his profession. St. Kollmann is also known for its church day: "We all work together at festivals too - the women bake, decorate the church and the forecourt and the men serve the drinks." Kirchtag is also always about a social cause, as the net proceeds from the festival are donated to the region.

The men's club room with adjoining ice rink(Bild: EVELYN HRONEK)

Karin Pitschek is part of the younger village generation: "It's just nice that there's always someone there to help." Her husband Günther is the third generation to run the farm: "When our barn burned down a few years ago, everyone was there to clean it up."

The branch church of St. Kollmann (mentioned in a document in 1196) is dedicated to St. Koloman.